OEIRAS/STARNBERG, March 5, 2026
Portugal will host the Europe/Africa Group I event of the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge at the Jamor Sports Complex in Oeiras from April 7 to 11, and the draw held on Thursday placed the home team in Group D alongside Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
It marks the third time in the past four years that the Portuguese Tennis Federation has been selected by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to host this Europe/Africa Group I event, which will feature 16 nations divided into four groups.
The top-seeded nations are Slovakia, the Netherlands, Romania and Germany, who will lead Groups A through D respectively.
Group A: Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Lithuania
Group B: Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary, Georgia
Group C: Romania, France, Latvia, Norway
Group D: Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden
Teams have until Monday, March 10, to finalize their player nominations for the competition.
Germany could potentially rely on players such as Laura Siegemund (No. 55 WTA), Tatjana Maria (No. 59), Eva Lys (No. 70) and Ella Seidel (No. 83). Denmark’s main star is Clara Tauson, currently ranked No. 17 in the WTA rankings, while Sweden’s top player is Kajsa Rinaldo Persson.
Three places in the promotion play-offs for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals will be at stake. Portugal competed in this decisive stage in November 2025 and will now look to return to the play-offs once again.
The group stage will take place from Tuesday to Thursday (April 7–9). The four group winners will then meet in crossover matches on Friday: the winner of Group A will face the winner of Group D, while the winner of Group B will play the winner of Group C, with the winners claiming the first two promotion spots.
The final qualification place will be decided on Saturday between the two losing teams from those matches.
Meanwhile, the teams finishing second in each group will automatically secure their place in Europe/Africa Group I for next season. The third- and fourth-placed teams will have to compete in the relegation play-offs, with two nations ultimately dropping down to the lower division.
